According to Express, Bayern Munich are among the clubs monitoring Hector Bellerin. The Arsenal right-back faces an uncertain future at Emirates, with Mikel Arteta reportedly keen on cashing in, perhaps due to the club’s financial shortcomings amid Coronavirus pandemic. Bayern, as a result, are now on red alert as they look to reinforce their defensive unit.
However, the report further states Bayern Munich are not the only club interested in Bellerin. In fact, the Bavarians are set to face stiff competition from European giants like Juventus and PSG, both of whom are equally keen on signing the Arsenal defender this summer.
Do Bayern Munich really need a right-back?
Bayern Munich’s interest in Bellerin makes sense given how the club’s fate under Hansi Flick has turned out. Especially in the right-back slot, first-team player Joshua Kimmich shifted into a more central midfield role midway through the campaign. It allowed Benjamin Pavard to emerge as a first-choice RB for the Bavarians.
Although the Frenchman has done an excellent job, Bayern do lack viable alternatives. Kimmich is always an option, but he is more or less a fixed starter in midfield now, especially with Thiago Alcantara facing an uncertain future at the club.
The club did sign Alvaro Odriozola from Real Madrid on loan in January, but he featured in a total of 153 minutes of football across all competitions. The Spaniard, therefore, is set to return to Bernabeu after the end of the Champions League.
Odriozola’s struggles, combined with Kimmich’s guaranteed role in midfield mean Bayern Munich really do need a new right-back this summer as they look to solidify their defensive unit further.
Is Hector Bellerin an ideal target?
Bellerin’s addition to Bayern Munich could be no less than an absolute masterclass from the Bundesliga giants. Although the Arsenal star has suffered from various injury problems throughout his career, he is, no doubt, one of the top right-backs in the Premier League.
Indeed, what makes Bellerin such an appealing target for the club is his experience. He has already featured in 200 competitive appearances for the Gunners, more than 150 of which have come in the Premier League.
This experience at the highest level of football should definitely be useful for the Bavarians. But more importantly, Bellerin can add an incentive for Pavard to fight for his place in the starting lineup, thus potentially increasing the overall output from the French international.
However, given Juventus and PSG’s interest, it remains to be seen whether or not Bayern Munich will be able to sign Bellerin this summer.
